Bent jack stand point

[rationull]

This is a "newbie" question but I just want to confirm I'm doing it right. I did an oil change/tire rotation today on my Civic and just like I always do (and as recommended in the service manual) I had the jackstands under the little spare tire jacking point "flange" next to the wheels. As usual I put the stands about in the middle of the flange.

After I had both the front and the rear up I noticed that the front of the left front flange was bent up a little. I'm not sure if this happened somehow when I was lifting the rear end up (while the front was already on stands) today or if it happened when I recently got a punctured tire repaired and the tire shop lifted the car.

Is it incorrect to just let the weight of the car rest on the flanges? I think the spare tire jack goes around the flange but if this wasn't the way to go I'd think there'd be stand adapters at auto shops all over and I don't recall seeing any.

 

[onion]

Some jack stands have a 'notch' built in for just such a flange.

But generally speaking, I think said flange is designed more for use with the OEM scissor jack than a jack stand... the top of the jack will be designed to fit over/around the flange.

When I put jackstands under a car, and they don't have a ready-made notch that fits, I usually find a solid place to set on the stands- like a crossmember or a control arm mount.

 

[Dave Hess]

That little flange or 'ear' is ONLY designed for the factory scissor jack. And that goes for all Civics.

 

[wcbcruzer]

If it bent, there must've been too much weight on it. Shouldn't matter on the type of jacking device used. I suppose those jack points are designed to hold the weight of one corner of the vehicle. Not when you have the entire back end on the rear points.

 

[Dave Hess]

Just bend it back in place, lesson learned.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
If it bent, there must've been too much weight on it. Shouldn't matter on the type of jacking device used.


The implication is that the spare tire jack is different, because it's saddle goes around the flange and actually supports the vehicle via the body around the flange rather than the flange itself.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
That little flange or 'ear' is ONLY designed for the factory scissor jack. And that goes for all Civics.


From the factory service manual:

I've had my doubts but it seems pretty straightforward in the instructions, to me. In the diagram with the lift it looks like the lift has the flange adapters but it doesn't say anything about only using stands with adapters or specially shaped saddles.

If I'm missing something I'm all ears.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: rationull
Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
If it bent, there must've been too much weight on it. Shouldn't matter on the type of jacking device used.


The implication is that the spare tire jack is different, because it's saddle goes around the flange and actually supports the vehicle via the body around the flange rather than the flange itself.


Actually, turns out I was wrong about this. I have seen spare tire jacks like this, but I just went out and checked the Civic's. The scissor jack is almost flat at the top, with just a small indentation where according to the owner's manual the flange is supposed to sit.

So the flanges are designed to hold the weight of one corner of the car.

Feeling the flanges, there are a couple of thicker sections of metal in them. I'm thinking maybe you're just supposed to make sure the stand/jack is centered on the flange so it hits both of the thicker sections.

 

[AcuraTech]

Not just for jacks. We use those lift points for the shop hoists, as well. Another reason I like working on Honda's. They all have the lift point ears, makes them much easier to get up in the air.

I've seen em' bent before, don't know how they get that way. Doesn't seem to affect their intended purpose, though.

 

[mechtech2]

Modern rail jack points are horrible. Way too fragile.
Seek out a solid subframe place for jacking, and your jack stand use.